SENATE DOCUMENT #17
APC Document #9
The Academic Policies Committee recommends to the Faculty Senate
the adoption of the following catalog changes for the Department of
Economics:
CATALOG REVISION:
I. A. At the end of the second paragraph of introductory material,
add the following sentences:
...Upon approval of the student's major advisor and the department
chairman, the following courses may serve as electives for one
or more of the areas of concentration: History 313 or 381, or
3 hrs. from Philosophy courses numbered 200 or above. Students
may transfer from other accredited institutions courses which
are judged to be identical or reasonable substitutes for courses
in the curriculum. In the case of transfers, the department
chairman must evaluate each transcript to determine acceptability
of individual courses...
Rationale: Clarify program requirements and transferability into
the program.
B. Delete the section entitled "General Economics" and insert the
following:
I. Public Policy Analysis
The objectives of this area of concentration are to provide the
student with a grasp of economic theory; to introduce the student
to the philosophical content and basis of economic reasoning; and
to show the student the place of economics in the development of
public policy. This area provides flexibility in program development
consistent with the students career goals. Students may choose
either a Micro or Macro approach. The Micro Approach focuses on
public policies such as environmental regulation, antitrust
legislation, and taxation. The Macro Approach focuses on the
interaction of public policy and aggregate economic conditions,
such as inflation, unemployment, and the balance of payments.
Students interested in the Micro Approach must choose four from
the following: Econ 306, 320, 330, 335, 337, any special topic
course with the approval of the student's advisor and Department
Chairman. The remaining three hours shall be selected from the
economics curriculum or from offerings in History or Philosophy
as noted above.
Students interested in the Macro Approach must choose four from
the following: Econ 215, 420, 310, 350, 415, any special topic
course with the approval of the student's advisor and Department
Chairman. The remaining three hours shall be selected from the
economics curriculum or from offerings in History or Philosophy
as noted above.
Rationale: This area is reflective of the role of economics in
the determination of public policy while maintaining the desirable
elements of a general introduction to the discipline. The
department feels this modification will better serve student
needs than the old General Economics area.
C. Delete the section entitled "Monetary Economics and Finance," and
insert the following:
2. Monetary Economics and Finance
This area of concentration focuses on the monetary and financial
aspects of the economy. It is designed to acquaint students with
the workings of financial institutions, the stock market, monetary
and fiscal policy, and decisions involving government finance.
Students in this area take Econ 215, 410, and two from Econ 305,
306, 310, 350. The remaining three hours shall be selected from
the economics curriculum or from offerings in History or Philosophy
as noted above.
Rationale: This area has been judged to be too restricted in the
past. This proposed alteration attempts to give the student greater
flexibility in developing his/her program of study.
D. Re-label area three from "Quantitative and Applied Economics" to
"Applied Quantitative".
In line 6, change reference from 225 to 360.
Rationale: Editorial preference of some department members. The
feelings is that the proposed title is more reflective of the role
of quantification in economic analysis.
E. Delete the paragraph which begins: ..."Students seeking secondary
certification in Economics..."
Insert the following:
5. A Major in Economics with Secondary Certification:
This area is specifically designed for students who wish to both
major in economics and receive secondary certification in economics.
This area is not open to students who do not seek secondary
certification. Should a student fail to complete all requirements
for certification then he or she must select one of the remaining
four options to complete a major in economics. To complete this
program of study students must complete the requirements of the
major plus the Education and Psychology courses listed on page _____
plus other certification requirements described on pages ______.
Students in this area take Econ 150, History 313 or 318 plus 9
additional hours from the Economics curriculum. The research
conducted in Econ 490 must reflect the student's career interests
in Economic Education.
Rationale: This area is necessary to clarify an approved area for
the department as well as support the Secondary program in the
Department of Education.
F. Immediately after the proposed entry in (E) above add the following:
A student wishing to receive a "Second-Area" of Secondary
Certification in Economics must complete the 19 hour core required
of majors plus History 313 and Econ 150. The research conducted
in Econ 490 must reflect the student's career interests in Economic
Education.
Rationale: The Education Department requested the Economics
Department develop this option.
II. Delete the following courses:
Econ 115 Introduction to Accounting I
Econ 116 Introduction to Accounting II
Rationale: These courses are being transferred to the Management
Department and will be listed, with new titles, in a proposal from
Dr. Hart.
III. Add the following course:
Econ 150 Consumer Economics
This course is an introduction to consumer economics and personal
finance. It is designed to enable the student to analyze and
direct his/her financial affairs. Topics vary but normally include
the basic functioning of the marketplace, income budgeting, the
housing decision, insurance, consumer credit/debt, and consumer
protection.
3 semester hours - no prerequisites.
Rationale: This course has been taught as a special topic for
several years. Also, the area of concentration leading to
Secondary certification requires this course.
IV. Change from Econ 405 International Economics to:
Econ 350 International Economics
Description remains the same, except to note: "Students who have
completed Econ 405 may not take this course for credit."
Rationale: This course has been changed to serve as a junior
level introduction to the topic rather than a senior level course
which requires more advanced work.
V. Change Econ 425 Senior Research (3) to:
Econ 490 Senior Research Seminar (4)
Description remains the same, except to note: "Students who have
completed Econ 425 may not take this course for credit."
Change all reference to Econ 425 and Res 498 in the departmental
catalog entry to Econ 490.
Rationale: Res 498 no longer accurately reflects the situation
in this course. The department proposes changing this course
to 4 credits and changing the course number to allow listing of
other 400 level courses at numbers lower than 490. This course
is the capstone course of the major.
VI. Change Econ 220 History of Economic Thought to:
Econ 420 History of Economic Thought
Description remains the same, except to note: "Students who
have completed Econ 220 may not take this course for credit."
Rationale: This course has been upgraded to the senior level.
The level of assigned readings, discussions, and requirement of
a paper justify this change in number.
VII. Change Econ 100, 101, 131 to:
Econ 200, 201, 205 respectively.
The course descriptions do not differ other than in each case to
add a comment noting credit earned under the old number precludes
taking the course for credit.
Rationale: The number shift more accurately reflects the level
of each course, i.e., a sophomore rather than a freshman level
course. The department feels a student should be in his or her
second and preferably the third semester of college level work
before enrolling in these courses. The freshman year is normally
reserved for general education requirements rather than beginning
a major. Also the fact the typical numbering sequence in many
universities and colleges place principles of economics at the
sophomore level.
VIII. Change Econ 225 to Econ 360.
Leave the description as currently stated except to add:
"Students who have completed Econ 225 may not take this course
for credit."
Rationale: The new number more accurately reflects the level of
difficulty of the course plus indicating when it is more advisable
to take the course, the junior year.
(Passed Faculty Senate January 25, 1979)